The number one complaint of most Gastroparesis sufferers is nausea that isn't even relieved with the top nausea medications used for patients that have cancer. The nausea just nags away all day using up the little energy the patient has.
Symptoms such as depression and insomnia go hand in hand with Gastroparesis patients also.
All these issues were addressed at the First Interntaional Task Force Meeting on Gastroparesis last May in Orlando Florida. The greatest minds in motility came together to create a database and registry for the gastroparesis patient in order to streamline research for what is needed most. Patients need symptom control to increase the quality of life why we patiently wait for a cure.
A scientific panel came together at the National Institutes of Health in early April of this year. The panel was invited by the director of the NIDDK section of the NIH to present to the director of the NIH. Anytime a meeting like this takes place, a report is generated and sent to Congress. It is hoped that through this important meeting that our law makers will set aside some of the pot of money for the very misunderstood motility diseases.
I'm a nurse as well as a patient, so items such as this holds a great deal of importance to me as it should for anyone that suffers.
Personally, I live on tube feedings, because my stomach refuses to empty. I actually have a tube into the stomach to remove contents as well as a tube in my small intestine for infusing feedings. Whatever can't make it out through the tube in my tummy is vomited.
It's just hard to see so many suffering, and most do not have a doctor that specializes in these diseases. I'm all for educating the patients as well as physicians.
You wonder why am I still awake at 5:00 AM EST, the nausea and pain are having a field day at the moment.
Gastroparesis leaves very little that we are able to control. I might not be able to control the disease, but I can control making others more aware, and possibly educate others.
Since the diseases of the gut have things others just do not care to hear about, so we are left with a choice: Make a difference while you are suffering to hopefully making it easier on those that suffer later. I have chosen to make a difference NOW.
Bethellen
Edited by Bethellen (06/07/04 02:03 AM)
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Re: Gastroparesis Info - Very Interesting
